It’s tough when you don’t speak the local language well. For crime victims, the problem is amplified because they are also experiencing trauma. Nashville crime victim advocacy group, You Have the Power (YHTP), has released a variety of written resource guides in a number of languages, including Spanish, Arabic, and Mandarin. A series of short videos in Spanish and Kurdish can help victims find support and understanding online via You Tube.
“Crime doesn’t discriminate. To speak to people in their native language is the difference between understanding something with your brain versus your heart,” said YHTP Board Member, Irma Paz-Bernstein. “Regardless of the topic, communicating heart to heart gives a deeper understanding and connection.”
A Mandarin language human trafficking resource guide came about after a request by agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The Junior League of Nashville partnered in the project. YHTP has been providing victim resource information since 1995. Administrators say the growth of immigration in the Nashville area calls for new approaches.
“We work closely with survivors, advocates, and community partners to determine how to best reach crime victims and how best to inform the public,” said YHTP CEO, Cathy Gurley. “Videos have always been an important part of our work. It’s great to have videos in Spanish and Kurdish to help educate the community in Tennessee. We want people to visit our You Tube channel and share them with those in need.”
April 24 – 30 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The theme this year is “Rights, Access, Equity, for all Victims.” Expanding access to resources and services is a big part of that effort.
Former First Lady of Tennessee, Andrea Conte, founded You Have the Power to advocate for victims and educate the community to prevent violent crime. Private donations and grants make most of YHTP’s programming available to the people of Tennessee at no charge. For a complete list of resources and presentations visit www.yhtp.org or call 615-292-7027.
View the Spanish language videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjcmrOnAdqHh1JH3eobWC2g
View the resource guides: https://yhtp.org/resource-guides/